A Play At Being Human: Part One

1. "You said we should talk. So let's talk." - R.G

The large metal gates squeaked and groaned as Kal and Eduardo, the two guardsmen above, signaled them to open for the new group. Rick Grimes and his fellow Alexandrians followed Jesus as he waved them through the formidable walls. They were still weary of his open and trusting manner - no mischief or malice, only...blatant honesty.

In the survivor's experience, that was never a good sign. Woodberry. Terminus. The journey to D.C. and what followed....Rick didn't take chances anymore. He gave the signal for the group to be on their guard, not that he needed to tell them that. They knew, just as well as he did, that caution came first. The possibility of hope, last.

There was life all around them in the warm and inviting atmosphere. As the group watchfully walked through the gates, they took in the colonial settlement with amazement. The warmth of the sun was momentarily disturbed by a gentle breeze that tickled their necks and brushed their hair back. It was as if they had stepped into the past.

To the left were wooden stalls for agriculture and industry, specialized work. The sounds of hammering came from two blacksmiths – one at the fire, the other at the anvil – filling the air with the thick smoky smells of burning wood. Not far from them were muddy pens for the livestock – bleating sheep and goats, chickens clucking happily as they were tossed feed. Further away were three cows.

To the right were small gardens, clotheslines and trailers as men and women went about their day or stood to chat on their make-shift front steps. The ambient tones of their conversations took place in the background, adding to the harmonious chirping and chattering of the birds and cicadas. They spared the newcomers brief glances, some stares lingering longer than others, before turning back to what they were doing. Apparently, newcomers were not out of the ordinary.

Hilltop was simplistically ideal – quiet, yet not unsettling so. Peaceful.

In the center was a red brick, three story colonial mansion. Four large white columns at the front extended upwards to connect the second floor balcony. Michonne gently tapped Rick's arm with two fingers, nodding towards the house. The upper attic attached to the third floor, creating a great vantage point to double as a sniper's perch. Perfect for security. Rick nodded in understanding, motioning for the rest of the group to take notice of it as well.

If shit went south, like it was always bound to do, the perch was the first to go.

At the top of the stairs, a young woman pushed through the large white doors. Her back was turned to the group and her arms were laden with bed sheets and linen. She wore black slacks and a blouse with a wide collar, exposing her prominent clavicles, and a white floor-length apron was tied around her waist. Her blonde waves was braided loosely with a spare piece of cloth and draped on the edge of her shoulder.

Jesus brought the group to a halt as he stood by and watched as she slipped out of black flats and into a pair of muddied ankle work-boots that were a size too large. He gave a low whistle, reminiscent of a bird's chirp causing the woman to look up, confused, as her head whipped around at the familiar sound. Her honey-brown eyes lit up as she spotted Jesus at the bottom of the stairs.

"Paul!" The woman squealed, dropping her load and launching herself off the platform. Her untied laces caught under her boots, yet Jesus caught her easily. He chuckled and smiled in her hair as he held her close to his chest. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, her hands curling in his jacket collar.

The group stood back, watching. Was this Jesus's girl? They knew all too well others will use your weakness to hurt you. If this woman was Jesus's, then why were they being so obvious in front of strangers?

Again, if it came down to a fight, Rick knew who to take hostage first.

Jesus placed her feet back on the ground. She pulled back from the embrace to hold his face in her hands and smiled brightly up at him. "Je suis tellement contente que tu sois de retour! Où étiez-vous?"